Compounds and method for treatment of cancer

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to methods of use of a compound of Formula I: 
                         
and/or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, tautomer, optical isomer, or combination thereof, a composition comprising the thiosemicarbazone, a method of administration thereof, and use thereof to treat a cancer.

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/310,506 filed on Dec. 2, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/190,230 filed on Jul. 25, 2011, (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,367,675), which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/013,079, filed Jan. 11, 2008, (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,034,815), which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/884,489, filed Jan. 11, 2007, which also claims benefit of U.S. provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/884,504, filed Jan. 11, 2007, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to compounds, compositions and methods for treatment of cancer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cancer, irrespective of its pathogenesis, is characterized by uncontrolled growth and survival of cells. Common to most forms of cancer is an error in the cellular mechanism responsible for balancing cell survival and cell death.

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately 20% of all lung cancers. The 5-year survival rate for small cell lung cancer is about 15%.

Certain thiosemicarbazones, such as those disclosed in British Patent No. 1,026,401, International Patent Application No. WO2004/066725, Japanese Patent No. 56-95161 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,843, have been used to treat, for example, a variety of viruses. Other thiosemicarbazones, however, may be used to treat cancer. French Patent No. 2,879,194 is directed to certain thiosemicarbazones that may be used in the treatment or prevention of cancer, in dermatological treatment, in the treatment of cardiovascular and immune diseases, lipid-metabolism related diseases and modulate PPAR's. International Patent Application No. WO 2006/009765 is directed to specific thiosemicarbazones that may be used in anti-cancer therapy that mitigates the development of drug resistance. U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,027 is directed to hydrazone derivatives that may be used as a chemotherapeutic.

There is a need, however, for new therapeutic drug treatments to treat cancers more efficiently, and lung cancer in particular. Current treatment regimes for small cell lung cancer involve surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. While timely surgery can be curative, new therapies are necessary when timely surgery is not an option.

All patents and patent applications referenced herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a compound of Formula I:

and/or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, tautomer, optical isomer, or combination thereof; wherein:

R₁ and R₂ together form a substituted or unsubstituted polycyclic ring comprising at least two ring systems, said at least two ring systems comprising a first ring system bonded to C1 and a second ring system fused to the first ring system, wherein:

the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; or

the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; or

the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted saturated carbocyclic group, the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted unsaturated carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted ring B:

wherein X₁ to X₆ are each independently selected from carbon or a heteroatom; or

the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted unsaturated carbocyclic group, the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted ring B:

wherein X₁ to X₆ are each independently selected from carbon or a heteroatom; or

the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; and

R₃ to R₁₁ are each independently selected from H, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterogeneous group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic;

R₁₂ is selected from H or a hydrocarbyl group;

Y is selected from a heteroatom or a carbon atom;

A is selected from a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterogeneous group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic; and

n is an integer.

In a further aspect, there is provided a composition comprising the compound of Formula I.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of administration of the compound of Formula I or composition thereof to treat a cancer.

In yet another aspect, there is provided use of the compound of Formula I or composition thereof to treat a cancer.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples while indicating embodiments of the invention are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures.

FIG. 1 shows the volume of SHP77 human SCLC tumour in nude mice treated with test compounds;

FIG. 2 shows number of SHP77 human SCLC tumours in nude mice treated with test compounds;

FIG. 3 shows the volume of N417 human SCLC tumour in nude mice treated with COTI-2 and control;

FIG. 4 shows lack of emerging resistance in DMS153 cells treated with COTI-2 and COTI-219;

FIG. 5 lack of emerging resistance in SHP77 cells treated with COTI-2 and COTI-219;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show volume of U87 human glioma tumours in nude mice treated with two different concentrations of COTI-2; and

FIG. 7 shows Western blot analysis of cellular lysates of SHP77 cells that have been treated with COTI-2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a thiosemicarbazone, a composition comprising the thiosemicarbazone, a method of administration thereof, and use thereof to treat a cancer.

Definitions

When describing the compounds, compositions, methods and uses of this invention, the following terms have the following meanings unless otherwise indicated.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” as used herein means that amount of active compound or pharmaceutical agent that elicits the biological or medicinal response in a tissue, system, animal or human that is being sought by a researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician.

The compounds of the present invention may have asymmetric centers, chiral axes, and chiral planes (as described, for example, in: E. L. Eliel and S. H. Wilen, Stereo-chemistry of Carbon Compounds, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1994, pages 1119-1190), and occur as racemates, racemic mixtures, and as individual diastereomers, with all possible isomers and mixtures thereof, including optical isomers, being included in the present invention. In addition, the compounds disclosed herein may exist as tautomers and both tautomeric forms are intended to be encompassed by the scope of the invention, even though only one tautomeric structure may be depicted.

Generally, reference to a certain element such as hydrogen or H is meant to, if appropriate, include all isotopes of that element.

Where the term “alkyl group” is used, either alone or within other terms such as “haloalkyl group” and “alkylamino group”, it encompasses linear or branched carbon radicals having, for example, one to about twenty carbon atoms or, in specific embodiments, one to about twelve carbon atoms. In other embodiments, alkyl groups are “lower alkyl” groups having one to about six carbon atoms. Examples of such groups include, but are not limited thereto, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, iso-amyl, hexyl and the like. In more specific embodiments, lower alkyl groups have one to four carbon atoms.

The term “alkenyl group” encompasses linear or branched carbon radicals having at least one carbon-carbon double bond. The term “alkenyl group” can encompass conjugated and non-conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds or combinations thereof. An alkenyl group, for example and without being limited thereto, can encompass two to about twenty carbon atoms or, in a particular embodiment, two to about twelve carbon atoms. In embodiments, alkenyl groups are “lower alkenyl” groups having two to about four carbon atoms. Examples of alkenyl groups include, but are not limited thereto, ethenyl, propenyl, allyl, propenyl, butenyl and 4-methylbutenyl. The terms “alkenyl group” and “lower alkenyl group”, encompass groups having “cis” and “trans” orientations, or alternatively, “E” and “Z” orientations.

The term “alkynyl group” denotes linear or branched carbon radicals having at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. The term “alkynyl group” can encompass conjugated and non-conjugated carbon-carbon triple bonds or combinations thereof. Alkynyl group, for example and without being limited thereto, can encompass two to about twenty carbon atoms or, in a particular embodiment, two to about twelve carbon atoms. In embodiments, alkynyl groups are “lower alkynyl” groups having two to about ten carbon atoms. Some examples are lower alkynyl groups having two to about four carbon atoms. Examples of such groups include propargyl, butynyl, and the like.

The term “halo” means halogens such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atoms.

The term “haloalkyl group” encompasses groups wherein any one or more of the alkyl carbon atoms is substituted with halo as defined above. Specifically encompassed are monohaloalkyl, dihaloalkyl and polyhaloalkyl groups including perhaloalkyl. A monohaloalkyl group, for one example, may have either an iodo, bromo, chloro or fluoro atom within the group. Dihalo and polyhaloalkyl groups may have two or more of the same halo atoms or a combination of different halo groups. “Lower haloalkyl group” encompasses groups having 1-6 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, lower haloalkyl groups have one to three carbon atoms. Examples of haloalkyl groups include fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, difluorochloromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl and dichloropropyl.

The term “hydroxyalkyl group” encompasses linear or branched alkyl groups having, for example and without being limited thereto, one to about ten carbon atoms, any one of which may be substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups. In embodiments, hydroxyalkyl groups are “lower hydroxyalkyl” groups having one to six carbon atoms and one or more hydroxyl groups. Examples of such groups include hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl and hydroxyhexyl.

The term “alkoxy group” encompasses linear or branched oxy-containing groups each having alkyl portions of, for example and without being limited thereto, one to about ten carbon atoms. In embodiments, alkoxy groups are “lower alkoxy” groups having one to six carbon atoms. Examples of such groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy and tert-butoxy. In certain embodiments, lower alkoxy groups have one to three carbon atoms. The “alkoxy” groups may be further substituted with one or more halo atoms, such as fluoro, chloro or bromo, to provide “haloalkoxy” groups. In other embodiments, lower haloalkoxy groups have one to three carbon atoms. Examples of such groups include fluoromethoxy, chloromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoroethoxy, fluoroethoxy, and fluoropropoxy.

The term “aromatic group” or “aryl group” means an aromatic group having one or more rings wherein such rings may be attached together in a pendent manner or may be fused. In particular embodiments, an aromatic group is one, two or three rings. Monocyclic aromatic groups may contain 4 to 10 carbon atoms, typically 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and more typically 4 to 6 carbon atoms in the ring. Typical polycyclic aromatic groups have two or three rings. Polycyclic aromatic groups having two rings typically have 8 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 10 carbon atoms in the rings. Examples of aromatic groups include, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, biphenyl, phenanthryl, anthryl or acenaphthyl.

The term “heteroatom” means an atom other than carbon. Typically, heteroatoms are selected from the group consisting of sulfur, phosphorous, nitrogen and oxygen atoms. Groups containing more than one heteroatom may contain different heteroatoms.

The term “heteroaromatic group” or “heteroaryl group” means an aromatic group having one or more rings wherein such rings may be attached together in a pendent manner or may be fused, wherein the aromatic group has at least one heteroatom. Monocyclic heteroaromatic groups may contain 4 to 10 member atoms, typically 4 to 7 member atoms, and more typically 4 to 6 member atoms in the ring. Typical polycyclic heteroaromatic groups have two or three rings. Polycyclic aromatic groups having two rings typically have 8 to 12 member atoms, more typically 8 to 10 member atoms in the rings. Examples of heteroaromatic groups include, but are not limited thereto, pyrrole, imidazole, thiazole, oxazole, furan, thiophene, triazole, pyrazole, isoxazole, isothiazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, triazine, indole, benzofuran, benzothiophene, benzimidazole, benzthiazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinazoline, quinoxaline and the like.

The term “carbocyclic group” means a saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic hydrocarbon ring. Carbocyclic groups are not aromatic. Carbocyclic groups are monocyclic or polycyclic. Polycyclic carbocyclic groups can be fused, spiro, or bridged ring systems. Monocyclic carbocyclic groups may contain 4 to 10 carbon atoms, typically 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and more typically 5 to 6 carbon atoms in the ring. Bicyclic carbocyclic groups may contain 8 to 12 carbon atoms, typically 9 to 10 carbon atoms in the rings.

The term “heterocyclic group” means a saturated or unsaturated ring structure containing carbon atoms and 1 or more heteroatoms in the ring. Heterocyclic groups are not aromatic. Heterocyclic groups are monocyclic or polycyclic. Polycyclic heterocyclic groups can be fused, spiro, or bridged ring systems. Monocyclic heterocyclic groups may contain 4 to 10 member atoms (i.e., including both carbon atoms and at least 1 heteroatom), typically 4 to 7, and more typically 5 to 6 in the ring. Bicyclic heterocyclic groups may contain 8 to 18 member atoms, typically 9 or 10 member atoms in the rings. Representative heterocyclic groups include, by way of example, pyrrolidine, imidazolidine, pyrazolidine, piperidine, 1,4-dioxane, morpholine, thiomorpholine, piperazine, 3-pyrroline and the like.

The term “heterogeneous group” means a saturated or unsaturated chain of non-hydrogen member atoms comprising carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom. Heterogeneous groups typically have 1 to 25 member atoms. More typically, the chain contains 1 to 12 member atoms, 1 to 10, and most typically 1 to 6. The chain may be linear or branched. Typical branched heterogeneous groups have one or two branches, more typically one branch. Typically, heterogeneous groups are saturated. Unsaturated heterogeneous groups may have one or more double bonds, one or more triple bonds, or both. Typical unsaturated heterogeneous groups have one or two double bonds or one triple bond. More typically, the unsaturated heterogeneous group has one double bond.

The term “hydrocarbon group” or “hydrocarbyl group” means a chain of 1 to 25 carbon atoms, typically 1 to 12 carbon atoms, more typically 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and most typically 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Hydrocarbon groups may have a linear or branched chain structure. Typical hydrocarbon groups have one or two branches, typically one branch. Typically, hydrocarbon groups are saturated. Unsaturated hydrocarbon groups may have one or more double bonds, one or more triple bonds, or combinations thereof. Typical unsaturated hydrocarbon groups have one or two double bonds or one triple bond; more typically unsaturated hydrocarbon groups have one double bond.

When the term “unsaturated” is used in conjunction with any group, the group may be fully unsaturated or partially unsaturated. However, when the term “unsaturated” is used in conjunction with a specific group defined herein, the term maintains the limitations of that specific group. For example, an unsaturated “carbocyclic group”, based on the limitations of the “carbocyclic group” as defined herein, does not encompass an aromatic group.

The terms “carboxy group” or “carboxyl group”, whether used alone or with other terms, such as “carboxyalkyl group”, denotes —(C═O)—O—.

The term “carbonyl group”, whether used alone or with other terms, such as “aminocarbonyl group”, denotes —(C═O)—.

The terms “alkylcarbonyl group” denotes carbonyl groups which have been substituted with an alkyl group. In certain embodiments, “lower alkylcarbonyl group” has lower alkyl group as described above attached to a carbonyl group.

The term “aminoalkyl group” encompasses linear or branched alkyl groups having one to about ten carbon atoms any one of which may be substituted with one or more amino groups. In some embodiments, the aminoalkyl groups are “lower aminoalkyl” groups having one to six carbon atoms and one or more amino groups. Examples of such groups include aminomethyl, aminoethyl, aminopropyl, aminobutyl and aminohexyl.

The term “alkylaminoalkyl group” encompasses aminoalkyl groups having the nitrogen atom independently substituted with an alkyl group. In certain embodiments, the alkylaminoalkyl groups are “lower alkylaminoalkyl” groups having alkyl groups of one to six carbon atoms. In other embodiments, the lower alkylaminoalkyl groups have alkyl groups of one to three carbon atoms. Suitable alkylaminoalkyl groups may be mono or dialkyl substituted, such as N-methylaminomethyl, N,N-dimethyl-aminoethyl, N,N-diethylaminomethyl and the like.

The term “aralkyl group” encompasses aryl-substituted alkyl groups. In embodiments, the aralkyl groups are “lower aralkyl” groups having aryl groups attached to alkyl groups having one to six carbon atoms. In other embodiments, the lower aralkyl groups phenyl is attached to alkyl portions having one to three carbon atoms. Examples of such groups include benzyl, diphenylmethyl and phenylethyl. The aryl in said aralkyl may be additionally substituted with halo, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl and haloalkoxy.

The term “arylalkenyl group” encompasses aryl-substituted alkenyl groups. In embodiments, the arylalkenyl groups are “lower arylalkenyl” groups having aryl groups attached to alkenyl groups having two to six carbon atoms. Examples of such groups include phenylethenyl. The aryl in said arylalkenyl may be additionally substituted with halo, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl and haloalkoxy.

The term “arylalkynyl group” encompasses aryl-substituted alkynyl groups. In embodiments, arylalkynyl groups are “lower arylalkynyl” groups having aryl groups attached to alkynyl groups having two to six carbon atoms. Examples of such groups include phenylethynyl. The aryl in said aralkyl may be additionally substituted with halo, alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl and haloalkoxy. The terms benzyl and phenylmethyl are interchangeable.

The term “alkylthio group” encompasses groups containing a linear or branched alkyl group, of one to ten carbon atoms, attached to a divalent sulfur atom. In certain embodiments, the lower alkylthio groups have one to three carbon atoms. An example of “alkylthio” is methylthio, (CH₃S—).

The term “alkylamino group” denotes amino groups which have been substituted with one alkyl group and with two alkyl groups, including terms “N-alkylamino” and “N,N-dialkylamino”. In embodiments, alkylamino groups are “lower alkylamino” groups having one or two alkyl groups of one to six carbon atoms, attached to a nitrogen atom. In other embodiments, lower alkylamino groups have one to three carbon atoms. Suitable “alkylamino” groups may be mono or dialkylamino such as N-methylamino, N-ethylamino, N,N-dimethylamino, N,N-diethylamino and the like.

The term “arylamino group” denotes amino groups which have been substituted with one or two aryl groups, such as N-phenylamino. The “arylamino” groups may be further substituted on the aryl ring portion of the group.

The term “heteroarylamino” denotes amino groups which have been substituted with one or two heteroaryl groups, such as N-thienylamino. The “heteroarylamino” groups may be further substituted on the heteroaryl ring portion of the group.

The term “aralkylamino group” denotes amino groups which have been substituted with one or two aralkyl groups. In other embodiments, there are phenyl-C₁-C₃-alkylamino groups, such as N-benzylamino. The “aralkylamino” groups may be further substituted on the aryl ring portion of the group.

The term “alkylaminoalkylamino group” denotes alkylamino groups which have been substituted with one or two alkylamino groups. In embodiments, there are C₁-C₃-alkylamino-C₁-C₃-alkylamino groups.

The term “arylthio group” encompasses aryl groups of six to ten carbon atoms, attached to a divalent sulfur atom. An example of “arylthio” is phenylthio. The term “aralkylthio group” encompasses aralkyl groups as described above, attached to a divalent sulfur atom. In certain embodiments there are phenyl-C₁-C₃-alkylthio groups. An example of “aralkylthio” is benzylthio.

The term “aryloxy group” encompasses optionally substituted aryl groups, as defined above, attached to an oxygen atom. Examples of such groups include phenoxy.

The term “aralkoxy group” encompasses oxy-containing aralkyl groups attached through an oxygen atom to other groups. In certain embodiments, aralkoxy groups are “lower aralkoxy” groups having optionally substituted phenyl groups attached to lower alkoxy group as described above.

The term “cycloalkyl group” includes saturated carbocyclic groups. In certain embodiments, cycloalkyl groups include C₃-C₆ rings. In embodiments, there are compounds that include, cyclopentyl, cyclopropyl, and cyclohexyl.

The term “cycloalkenyl group” includes carbocyclic groups that have one or more carbon-carbon double bonds; conjugated or non-conjugated, or a combination thereof. “Cycloalkenyl” and “cycloalkyldienyl” compounds are included in the term “cycloalkenyl”. In certain embodiments, cycloalkenyl groups include C₃-C₆ rings. Examples include cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl, cyclohexenyl and cycloheptadienyl. The “cycloalkenyl” group may have 1 to 3 substituents such as lower alkyl, hydroxyl, halo, haloalkyl, nitro, cyano, alkoxy, lower alkylamino, and the like.

The term “suitable substituent”, “substituent” or “substituted” used in conjunction with the groups described herein refers to a chemically and pharmaceutically acceptable group, i.e., a moiety that does not negate the therapeutic activity of the inventive compounds. It is understood that substituents and substitution patterns on the compounds of the invention may be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art to provide compounds that are chemically stable and that can be readily synthesized by techniques known in the art, as well as those methods set forth below. If a substituent is itself substituted with more than one group, it is understood that these multiple groups may be on the same carbon/member atom or on different carbons/member atoms, as long as a stable structure results. Illustrative examples of some suitable substituents include, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, hydroxyalkyl, benzyl, carbonyl, halo, haloalkyl, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, hydroxy, oxo, mercapto, alkylthio, alkoxy, aryl or heteroaryl, aryloxy or heteroaryloxy, aralkyl or heteroaralkyl, aralkoxy or heteroaralkoxy, HO—(C═O)—, amido, amino, alkyl- and dialkylamino, cyano, nitro, carbamoyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, and arylsulfonyl. Typical substituents include aromatic groups, substituted aromatic groups, hydrocarbon groups including alkyl groups such as methyl groups, substituted hydrocarbon groups such as benzyl, and heterogeneous groups including alkoxy groups such as methoxy groups.

The term “fused” means in which two or more carbons/member atoms are common to two adjoining rings, e.g., the rings are “fused rings”.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include the conventional non-toxic salts of the compounds of this invention as formed, e.g., from non-toxic inorganic or organic acids. For example, such conventional non-toxic salts include those derived from inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, sulfamic, phosphoric, nitric and the like; and the salts prepared from organic acids such as acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, stearic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, pamoic, maleic, hydroxymaleic, phenylacetic, glutamic, benzoic, salicylic, sulfanilic, 2-acetoxy-benzoic, fumaric, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, ethane disulfonic, oxalic, isethionic, trifluoroacetic and the like.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention can be synthesized from the compounds of this invention which contain a basic or acidic moiety by conventional chemical methods. Generally, the salts of the basic compounds are prepared either by ion exchange chromatography or by reacting the free base with stoichiometric amounts or with an excess of the desired salt-forming inorganic or organic acid in a suitable solvent or various combinations of solvents. Similarly, the salts of the acidic compounds are formed by reactions with the appropriate inorganic or organic base.

The present invention includes pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs of the compounds of the invention and mixtures thereof.

The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including”, and various endings thereof, are meant to be open ended, including the indicated component but not excluding other elements.

The thiosemicarbazone of the invention is represented by a compound of Formula I:

wherein: R₁ and R₂ together form a substituted or unsubstituted polycyclic ring. The ring has at least two ring systems. The two ring systems have a first ring system that is bonded to C1 and a second ring system that is fused to the first ring system.

In one embodiment, the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group and the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.

In a second embodiment, the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group and the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.

In a further embodiment, the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted saturated carbocyclic group and the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted unsaturated carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted ring B:

wherein X₁ to X₆ are each independently selected from carbon or a heteroatom.

In another embodiment, the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted unsaturated carbocyclic group and the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted ring B:

wherein X₁ to X₆ are each independently selected from carbon or a heteroatom.

In yet another embodiment, the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.

In another embodiment relating to the above-identified embodiments, the first ring system is a five- or six-membered ring.

In embodiments, the R₃ to R₁₁ groups are each independently selected from H, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterogeneous group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic. The R₁₂ group is selected from H or a hydrocarbyl group and Y is selected from a heteroatom or a carbon atom. “A” is selected from a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterogeneous group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic and “n” is an integer.

The thiosemicarbazone described herein can be the compound of Formula I, a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, a hydrate thereof, a solvate thereof, a tautomer thereof, an optical isomer thereof, or a combination thereof.

In a specific embodiment, the first ring system of the compound of Formula I is a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group and the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted ring B:

wherein X₁ to X₆ are each independently selected from carbon or a heteroatom. In a more specific embodiment, ring B is a pyridine ring, typically fused to the first ring at C2 and C3 of the pyridine ring.

Although a first and second ring system is described herein, the substituted or unsubstituted polycyclic ring may further comprise other ring systems other than the first and second ring systems. For example, a third ring system may also be fused to the first ring system. The third ring system can be, for instance, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group. Typically, the third ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.

With respect to the embodiments described above with respect to Formula I, typically “n” is 0 or 1. If “n” is 1, “A” is typically a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, in particular, a pyridinyl group.

Also, with respect to the embodiments of Formula I, Y is typically a nitrogen atom. The ring:

can be a variety of rings. The ring can be a substituted or unsubstituted thiomorpholinyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted morpholinyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted piperidinyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted piperazinyl group.

In specific embodiments of Formula I, R₇ is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group and R₃ to R₆ and R₈ to R₁₂ are each independently selected from H or a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group. More specifically, R₇ can be the substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted pyridyl group and R₃ to R₆ and R_($) to R₁₂ are each H.

In specific embodiments, the compound of Formula I can be:

Such compounds may be used and/or in the form of a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate or any combination thereof.

The compounds of Formula I described herein can be prepared as follows:

a) reacting a compound of Formula II:

with a compound of Formula IIA:

to form an intermediate of Formula III:

b) reacting the Intermediate of Formula III with R₁₂NHNH₂ to form an Intermediate of Formula IV:

c) reacting the Intermediate of Formula IV with a ketone:

under condensation conditions, to form the compound of Formula I. In specific embodiments, the above-identified synthetic method can be used when “n” is 0 or 1; more typically, when “n” is 0.

The compounds of Formula I described herein can also be prepared as follows:

a) dithioesterifying a halo compound of Formula V:

to form an intermediate of Formula VI, wherein R, R′₁, or R′₂ is substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterogeneous group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic:

b) reacting the Intermediate of Formula VI with R₁₂NHNH₂ to form an Intermediate of Formula IV:

c) reacting the Intermediate of Formula IV with a ketone:

under condensation conditions, to form the compound of Formula I. In specific embodiments, the above-identified synthetic method can be used when “n” is 0 or 1; more typically, when “n” is 1.

The compounds of Formula I described herein can also be prepared as follows:

a) esterifying compound of Formula IIA:

to form an intermediate of Formula VII, wherein R is substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterogeneous group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic:

b) reacting the Intermediate of Formula VII with R₁₂NHNH₂ to form an Intermediate of Formula VIII:

c) reacting the Intermediate of Formula VIII with a thiation agent to form an Intermediate of Formula IV:

c) reacting the Intermediate of Formula IV with a ketone:

under condensation conditions, to form the compound of Formula I. Examples of a thiation agent include, but are not limited to, phosphorus pentasulfide or Lawesson's reagent. In specific embodiments, the above-identified synthetic method can be used when “n” is 0 or 1; more typically, when “n” is 1.

The compounds of the present invention are useful in the treatment of cancer. High levels of activity for in vitro and in vivo testing have been observed against cancers and cancer models using the compounds of the present invention. This may lead to reduced dosages as compared with conventional therapeutic dosages of known agents.

The cancer treated may be, for example, lung cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, cancer of CNS, skin cancer, prostate cancer, sarcoma, breast cancer, leukemia, colorectal cancer, head cancer, neck cancer or kidney cancer. More typically, the cancer may be small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, acute leukemia, chronic leukemia, colorectal cancer, or brain cancer. The cancer may be a carcinoma. The carcinoma may be selected from small cell carcinomas, cervical carcinomas, glioma, astrocytoma, prostate carcinomas, ovarian carcinomas, melanoma, breast carcinomas, or colorectal carcinomas. Compounds of the present invention may be even more particularly useful in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) carcinomas.

Compounds of the present invention can have an IC₅₀ for a cancer cell population of less than about 1000 nM. In specific embodiments, compounds of the present invention show efficacy against SHP77 cells at IC50's of less than about 1000 nM, typically less than about 800 nM, more typically less than about 500 nM, even more typically less than about 200 nM.

Compounds of the present invention show efficacy against DMS144 cells at IC50's of less than about 1000 nM, typically less than about 750 nM, more typically less than about 500 nM, even more typically less than about 300 nM, yet more typically less than about 100 nM.

Compounds of the present invention show efficacy against U87 cells at IC50's of less than about 2500 nM, typically less than about 1000 nM, more typically less than about 480 nM, even more typically less than about 200 nM, yet more typically less than about 75 nM.

Compounds of the present invention show efficacy against SNB-19 cells at IC50's of less than about 2150 nM, typically less than about 1500 nM, more typically less than about 800 nM, even more typically less than about 100 nM, yet more typically less than about 50 nM, still more typically less than about 15 nM.

Compounds of the present invention are effective in reducing the size of malignant human cancer tumors created from SHP77, DMS 114, N417 and/or U87 cell lines.

Compounds of the present invention can penetrate the blood brain barrier of a mammal, typically, a human.

Compounds of the present invention may exhibit a reduced tendency to induce cellular resistance to their own anti-cancer effects. Therefore, use of the compounds of the present invention to treat a cancer may inhibit development of a drug resistant form of that cancer. Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that the compounds of the present invention may inhibit development of P-glycoprotein mediated drug resistance.

Certain compounds of the present invention may exhibit reduced toxicity as compared with conventionally administered agents.

The compounds of this invention may be administered to mammals, typically humans, either alone or, in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents, optionally with known adjuvants, such as alum, in a pharmaceutical composition, according to standard pharmaceutical practice. The compounds can be administered orally or parenterally, including the intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous routes of administration.

As noted, compounds of the present invention may be administered orally unlike most current cancer therapies, which are administered intravenously. For oral use of a compound or composition according to this invention, the selected compound may be administered, for example, in the form of tablets or capsules, or as an aqueous solution or suspension. In the case of tablets for oral use, carriers which are commonly used include lactose and corn starch, and lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, are commonly added. For oral administration in capsule form, useful diluents include lactose and dried corn starch. When aqueous suspensions are required for oral use, the active ingredient is combined with emulsifying and suspending agents. If desired, certain sweetening and/or flavoring agents may be added. For intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous and intravenous use, sterile solutions of the active ingredient are usually prepared, and the pH of the solutions should be suitably adjusted and buffered. For intravenous use, the total concentration of solutes should be controlled in order to render the preparation isotonic.

At least about 50% of the compound of the present invention can be orally absorbed by a mammal. In specific embodiments, at least about 60%; about 60% to about 85%; about 65%; about 70%; about 72%; about 73%, about 75%; about 80%; about 82%; or about 85% of the compound of the present invention can be orally absorbed by a mammal, more typically, a human. “Oral absorption” is used in the context of how the compound/composition of the present invention are delivered and absorbed into the blood. Typically, the compound/composition is administered orally and crosses a mucosal membrane of the gastro-intestinal tract, typically in the intestines. However, other methods of contacting the compounds/compositions of the present invention with the mucosal membrane of the gastro-intestinal tract may also be used.

The compounds of the present invention may also be combined and/or co-administered with other therapeutic agents that are selected for their particular usefulness against the cancer that is being treated. For example, the compounds of the present invention may be combined and/or co-administered with anti-cancer agent(s).

Examples of anti-cancer agents include, without being limited thereto, the following: estrogen receptor modulators, androgen receptor modulators, retinoid receptor modulators, cytotoxic agents, antiproliferative agents, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, prenyl-protein transferase inhibitors, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, HIV protease inhibitors, reverse transcriptase inhibitors, other angiogenesis inhibitors and combinations thereof. The present compounds may also be useful with other therapies such as when co-administered with radiation therapy.

“Estrogen receptor modulators” refers to compounds which interfere or inhibit the binding of estrogen to the receptor, regardless of mechanism. Examples of estrogen receptor modulators include, but are not limited thereto, tamoxifen, raloxifene, idoxifene, LY353381, LY117081, toremifene, fulvestrant, 4-[7-(2,2-dimethyl-1-oxopropoxy-4-methyl-2-[4-[2-(1-piperidinyl)ethoxy]phenyl]-2H-1-benzopyran-3-yl]-phenyl-2,2-dimethylpropanoate, 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone-2,4-dinitrophenyl-hydrazone, and SH646.

“Androgen receptor modulators” refers to compounds which interfere or inhibit the binding of androgens to the receptor, regardless of mechanism. Examples of androgen receptor modulators include finasteride and other 5α-reductase inhibitors, nilutamide, flutamide, bicalutamide, liarozole, and abiraterone acetate.

“Retinoid receptor modulators” refers to compounds which interfere or inhibit the binding of retinoids to the receptor, regardless of mechanism. Examples of such retinoid receptor modulators include bexarotene, tretinoin, 13-cis-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinoic acid, α-difluoromethylomithine, ILX23-7553, trans-N-(4′-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide and N-4-carboxyphenyl retinamide.

“Cytotoxic agents” refer to compounds which cause cell death primarily by interfering directly with the cell's functioning or inhibit or interfere with cell myosis, including alkylating agents, tumor necrosis factors, intercalators, microtubulin inhibitors, and topoisomerase inhibitors.

Examples of cytotoxic agents include, but are not limited thereto, cyclophosphamide ifosfamide, hexamethylmelamine, tirapazimine, sertenef, cachectin, ifosfamide, tasonermin, lonidamine, carboplatin, mitomycin, altretamine, prednimustine, dibromodulcitol, ranimustine, fotemustine, nedaplatin, oxaliplatin, temozolomide, heptaplatin, estramustine, improsulfan tosilate, trofosfamide, nimustine, dibrospidium chloride, pumitepa, lobaplatin, satraplatin, profiromycin, cisplatin, irofulven, dexifosfamide, cis-aminedichloro(2-methyl-pyridine) platinum, benzylguanine, glufosfamide, GPX100, (trans, trans, trans)-bis-mu-(hexane-1,6-diamine)-mu-[diamine-platinum(II)]bis[diamine(chloro)-platinum(II)]tetrachloride, diarizidinylspermine, arsenic trioxide, 1-(11-dodecylamino-10-hydroxyundecyl)-3,7-dimethylxanthine, zorubicin, idarubicin, daunorubicin, bisantrene, mitoxantrone, pirarubicin, pinafide, valrubicin, amrubicin, antineoplaston, 3′-deamino-3′-morpholino-1-13-deoxo-10-hydroxycaminomycin, annamycin, galarubicin, elinafide, MEN10755, and 4-demethoxy-3-deamino-3-aziridinyl-4-methylsulphonyl-daunor-ubicin (see International Patent Application No. WO 00/50032).

Examples of microtubulin inhibitors include paclitaxel (Taxol®), vindesine sulfate, 3′,4′-didehydro-4′-deoxy-8′-norvincaleukoblastine, docetaxel, rhizoxin, dolastatin, mivobulin isethionate, auristatin, cemadotin, RPR109881, BMS184476, vinflunine, cryptophycin, 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-N-(−3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)benzene sulfonamide, anhydrovinblastine, N,N-dimethyl-L-valyl-L-valyl-N-methyl-L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline-t-butylamide, TDX258, and BMS188797.

Some examples of topoisomerase inhibitors are topotecan, hycaptamine, irinotecan, rubitecan, 6-ethoxypropionyl-3′,4′-O-exo-benzylidene-chartreusin, 9-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-5-nitropyrazolo[3,4,5-kl]acridine-1-2-(6H)propanamine, 1-amino-9-ethyl-5-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-9-hydroxy-4-methyl-1-1H,12H benzo[de]pyrano[3′,4′:b,7]indolizino[1,2b]quinoline-10,13(9H,15H)dione, lurtotecan, 7-[2-(N-isopropylamino)ethyl]-(20S)camptothecin, BNP1350, BNPI1100, BN80915, BN80942, etoposide phosphate, teniposide, sobuzoxane, 2′-dimethylamino-2′-deoxy-etoposide, GL331, N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-9-hydroxy-5,6-dimethyl-6H-pyrido[4,3-b]carbazo-le-1-carboxamide, asulacrine, (5a, 5aB, 8aa,9b)-9-[2-[N-[2-(dimethylamino)-ethyl]-N-methylamino]ethyl]-5-[4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl]-5,5a,6,8,8a,-9-hexohydrofuro(3′,′: 6,7)naphtho(2,3-d)-1,3-dioxol-6-one, 2,3-(methylenedioxy)-5-methyl-7-hydroxy-8-methoxybenzo[c]-phenanthridiniu-m, 6,9-bis[(2-aminoethyl)amino]benzo[g]isoquinoline-5,10-dione, 5-(3-aminopropylamino)-7,10-dihydroxy-2-(2-hydroxyethylaminomethyl)-6H-py-razolo[4,5,1-de]acridin-6-one, N-[1-[2(diethylamino)ethylamino]-7-methoxy-9-oxo-9H-thioxanthen-4-ylmethyl]formamide, N-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)acrid-ine-4-carboxamide, 6-[[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amino]-3-hydroxy-7H-indeno[2-,1-c]quinolin-7-one, and dimesna.

“Antiproliferative agents” includes BCNU, antisense RNA and DNA oligonucleotides such as G3139, ODN698, RVASKRAS, GEM231, and INX3001, and antimetabolites such as floxuridine, enocitabine, carmofur, tegafur, pentostatin, doxifluridine, trimetrexate, fludarabine, capecitabine, galocitabine, cytarabine ocfosfate, fosteabine sodium hydrate, raltitrexed, paltitrexid, emitefur, tiazofurin, decitabine, nolatrexed, pemetrexed, nelzarabine, 2′-deoxy-2′-methylidenecytidine, 2′-fluoromethylene-2′-deoxy-cytidine, N-[5-(2,3-dihydro-benzofuryl)sulfonyl]-N′-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea, N6-[4-deoxy-4-[N2-[2(E),4(E)-tetradecadienoyl]glycylamino]-L-glycer-o-B-L-manno-heptopyranosyl]adenine, aplidine, ecteinascidin, troxacitabine, 4-[2-amino-4-oxo-4,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-pyrimidino[5,4-b][1,4]thiazin-6-yl-(S)-ethyl]-2,5-thienoyl-L-glutamic acid, aminopterin, 5-fluorouracil, alanosine, 11-acetyl-8-(carbamoyloxymethyl)-4-formyl-6-methoxy-14-oxa-1,11-diazatetracyclo(7.4.1.0.0)-tetradeca-2,4,6-trien-9-yl acetic acid ester, swainsonine, lometrexol, dexrazoxane, methioninase, 2′-cyano-2′-deoxy-N4-palmitoyl-1-B-D-arabino furanosyl cytosine, and 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone.

“Antiproliferative agents” also includes monoclonal antibodies to growth factors, other than those listed under “angiogenesis inhibitors”, such as trastuzumab, and tumor suppressor genes, such as p53, which can be delivered via recombinant virus-mediated gene transfer (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,069,134, for example).

Some specific examples of tyrosine kinase inhibitors include N-(trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-methylisoxazol-4-carboxamide, 3-[(2,4-dimethylpyrrol-5-yl)methylidenyl)indolin-2-one, 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin, 4-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenylamino-)-7-methoxy-6-[3-(4-morpholinyl)propoxyl]-quinazoline, N-(3-ethynylphenyl)-6,7-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)-4-quinazolinamine, 2,3,9,10,11,12-hexahydro-10-(hydroxymethyl)-10-hydroxy-9-methyl-9,12-epoxy-1H-diindolo[1,2,3-fg:3′,2′,1′-kl]pyrrolo[3,4-i][1,6]benzodiazocin-1-one, SH1382, genistein, 4-(3-chlorophenylamino)-5,6-dimethyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidinemethane sulfonate, 4-(3-bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline, 4-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline, N-4-chlorophenyl-4-(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-phthalazinamine, and Tarceva® (erlotinib).

If formulated as a fixed dose, such combination products employ the compounds of this invention within the dosage range described below and the other pharmaceutically active agent(s) within its approved dosage range. Compounds of the present invention may alternatively be used sequentially with known pharmaceutically acceptable agent(s) when a combination formulation is inappropriate.

The term “administration” (e.g., “administering” a compound) in reference to a compound of the invention means introducing the compound or a prodrug of the compound into the system of the animal in need of treatment. When a compound of the invention or prodrug thereof is provided in combination with one or more other active agents (e.g., a cytotoxic agent, etc.), “administration” and its variants are each understood to include concurrent and sequential introduction of the compound or prodrug thereof and other agents.

The term “treating cancer” or “treatment of cancer” refers to administration to a mammal afflicted with a cancerous condition and refers to an effect that alleviates the cancerous condition by killing the cancerous cells, but also to an effect that results in the inhibition of growth and/or metastasis of the cancer.

When a compound according to this invention is administered into a human subject, the daily dosage will normally be determined by the prescribing physician with the dosage generally varying according to the age, weight, and response of the individual patient, as well as the severity of the patient's symptoms.

In one exemplary application, a suitable amount of compound is administered to a mammal undergoing treatment for cancer. Administration occurs in an amount from about 0.01 mg/kg of body weight to greater than about 100 mg/kg of body weight per day; from about 0.01 mg/kg of body weight to about 500 mg/kg of body weight per day; from about 0.01 mg/kg of body weight to about 250 mg/kg of body weight per day; or 0.01 mg/kg of body weight to about 100 mg/kg of body weight per day. These dosages can be more particularly used orally.

The compounds of this invention may be prepared by employing reactions and standard manipulations that are known in the literature or exemplified herein.

When introducing elements disclosed herein, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements.

The above disclosure generally describes the present invention. A more complete understanding can be obtained by reference to the following specific Examples. These Examples are described solely for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Changes in form and substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient. Although specific terms have been employed herein, such terms are intended in a descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

EXAMPLES Synthesis of COTI-2

The synthesis of COTI-2, as depicted above, was conducted according to the following synthetic methodology:

Imidazol-1-yl-(4-pyridin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-methanethione (or intermediate 3 above) was formed as follows. N-(2-pyridyl)piperazine (MW 163.22, 0.91 ml, 6.0 mmoles, 1 eq) 2 was added to a solution of 1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole (MW 178.22, 1.069 g, 6.0 mmoles, 1 eq) 1 in 50 ml of dichloromethane at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to provide imidazol-1-yl-(4-pyridin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-methanethione (MW 273.36, 1.354 g, 4.95 mmol, 83% yield) 3, which was used without further purification. TLC (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH: 95/5): Rf=0.60, Product UV and Ninhydrin stain active. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃), δ ppm: 3.72 (s, 4H), 4.02 (s, 4H), 6.67 (d, 1H, J=7 Hz), 6.72 (dd, 1H, J=7 and 5 Hz), 7.11 (s, 1H), 7.24 (s, 1H), 7.54 (t, 1H, J=7 Hz), 7.91 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, 1H, J=5 Hz).

Hydrazine hydrate (MW 50.06, 0.26 ml, 5.44 mmoles, 1.1 eq) was added to a solution of imidazol-1-yl-(4-pyridin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-methanethione 3 (MW 210.30, 1.040 g, 4.95 mmol, 1 eq) in 30 ml of ethanol at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred under reflux for 2 hours. A white precipitate formed. This white solid was filtered off and rinsed with diethyl ether to yield 1-[N-(2-pyridyl)-piperazine)-carbothioic acid hydrazide (MW 237.33, 0.86 g, 3.62 mmol, 73% yield) 4 as a white solid, and used without further purification. TLC(CH₂Cl₂/MeOH: 95/5): R=0.20, Product UV and Ninhydrin stain active. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), δ ppm: 3.53 (s, 4H), 3.85 (s, 4H), 6.66 (dd, 1H, J=8 and 5 Hz), 6.82 (d, 1H, J=8 Hz), 7.55 (t, 1H, J=8 Hz), 8.12 (d, 1H, J=5 Hz).

Finally, COTI-2 was formed as follows. 1-[N-(2-pyridyl)-piperazine)-carbothioic acid hydrazide (MW 237.33, 0.475 g, 2.0 mmol, 1 eq) 4 and 6,7-dihydro-5H-quinolin-8-one (MW 147.18, 0.306 g, 2.0 mmol, 1 eq) 5 was dissolved in 15 ml of ethanol at room temperature. The mixture was then stirred under reflux for 20 hours. A yellow solid precipitated out of the solution. This solid was filtered off then rinsed with methanol and diethyl ether to yield COTI-2 (MW 366.48, 0.60 g, 1.64 mmol, 82% yield) as a yellow solid. TLC(CH₂Cl₂/MeOH: 95/5): R=0.75, Product UV and Ninhydrine stain active. HPLC analysis showed a mixture of isomers (approximately in 80/20 ratio), and >98% purity. During the HPLC Method Development, as expected, this product tends to be hydrolyzed in presence of TFA in mobile phase solution. MS (ESI+, 0.025% TFA in 50/50 MeOH/H₂O): [M+H]⁺=367.1, [M+Na]⁺=389.1; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃), δ ppm (Major isomer): 2.09 (m, 2H), 2.92 (m, 4H), 3.67 (m, 4H), 4.27 (m, 4H), 6.69 (dd, 1H, J=8 and 5 Hz), 7.25 (dd, 1H, J=8 and 5 Hz), 7.55 (d, 2H, J=8 Hz), 8.23 (d, 1H, J=5 Hz), 8.63 (d, 1H, J=5 Hz), 14.76 (s, 1H). δ ppm (Minor isomer): 2.09 (m, 2H), 3.14 (t, 4H, J=6 Hz), 3.80 (m, 4H), 4.27 (m, 4H), 6.66 (m, 1H), 7.31 (dd, 1H, J=8 and 5 Hz), 7.52 (m, 1H), 7.70 (d, 1H, J=8 Hz), 8.23 (d, 1H, J=5 Hz), 8.53 (d, 1H, J=5 Hz), 15.65 (s, 1H).

Synthesis of COTI-219

The synthesis of COTI-219, as depicted above, was conducted according to the following synthetic methodology:

Imidazol-1-yl-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-methanethione (or intermediate 7 above) was formed as follows. N-Methyl piperazine (MW 100.16, 0.67 ml, 6.0 mmol, 1 eq) 6 was added to a solution of 1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole (MW 178.22, 1.069 g, 6.0 mmol, 1 eq) 1 in 50 ml of dichloromethane at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. This mixture was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to provide imidazol-1-yl-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-methanethione (MW 210.30, 1.040 g, 4.95 mmol, 82% yield) 7 and used without further purification. TLC(CH₂Cl₂/MeOH: 95/5): R=0.35, Product UV and Ninhydrine stain active. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃), δ ppm: 2.37 (s, 3H), 2.56 (s, 4H), 3.94 (s, 4H), 7.11 (s, 1H), 7.21 (s, 1H), 7.88 (s, 1H).

1-(N-Methyl piperazine)-carbothioic acid hydrazide (or intermediate 8 above) was formed as follows. Hydrazine hydrate (MW 50.06, 0.26 ml, 5.44 mmol, 1.1 eq) was added to a solution of imidazol-1-yl-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-methanethione 7 (MW 210.30, 1.040 g, 4.95 mmol, 1 eq) in 30 ml of ethanol at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred under reflux for 2 hours. This mixture was concentrated. The solid thus obtained was triturated with diethyl ether and filtered to yield 1-(N-Methyl piperazine)-carbothioic acid hydrazide (MW 174.27, 0.53 g, 3.04 mmol, 61% yield) 8 as a white solid which was used without further purification. TLC (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH: 90/10): R=0.15, Product UV and Ninhydrin stain active. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆), δ ppm: 2.17 (s, 3H), 2.28 (t, 4H, J=5 Hz), 3.69 (t, 4H, J=5 Hz).

Finally, COTI-219 was made as follows. 1-(N-Methyl piperazine)-carbothioic acid hydrazide (MW 174.27, 0.174 g, 1.0 mmol, 1 eq) 8 and 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one (MW 182.18, 0.182 g, 1.0 mmol, 1 eq) 9 was dissolved in 15 ml of ethanol at room temperature, in the presence of 1% glacial acetic acid (MW 60.05, 0.15 ml, 2.6 mmol, 2.6 eq). The mixture was stirred under reflux for 6 hours. After concentration, the crude thus obtained was taken up in dichloromethane, washed with a potassium carbonate aqueous solution then with water. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude was purified by ISCO CombiFlash™ Companion (Redisep™ cartridge 12 g, Normal phase, Gradient DCM/MeOH:10/0 to 9/1) and provided COTI-219 (MW 338.43, 0.330 g, 0.975 mmol, 98% yield) as a rust red solid. >95% purity by ¹H-NMR. MS [ESI+, 90/10 MeOH/H₂O (5 mM NH₄OAc, 0.2% Acetic acid)]: [M+H]⁺=339.1, [M+Na]⁺=361.1; ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃), δ ppm: 2.31 (s, 3H), 2.56 (t, 4H, J=5 Hz), 4.17 (t, 4H, J=5 Hz), 7.23 (dd, 1H, J=8 and 5 Hz), 7.31 (dd, 1H, J=8 and 5 Hz), 7.86 (d, 1H, J=8 Hz), 7.97 (d, 1H, J=8 Hz), 8.47 (d, 1H, J=5 Hz), 8.51 (d, 1H, J=5 Hz), 13.53 (s, 1H).

Synthesis of COTI-5

The synthesis of COTI-5, as depicted above, is conducted according to the following synthetic methodology:

Intermediate 11 is formed by reacting compound 10 with potassium, permanganate under reflux conditions. Intermediate 11 is reacted with hydrazine hydrate in ethanol to form intermediate 12.

Intermediate 12 is reacted with Lawesson's reagent in dioxane to form intermediate 13.

Finally, COTI-5 is formed as follows. Intermediate 13 and 6,7-dihydro-5H-quinolin-8-one 5 is dissolved in ethanol at room temperature to yield COTI-5.

Synthesis of COTI-5

The synthesis of COTI-5, as depicted above, is conducted according to the following synthetic methodology:

Intermediate 14 is formed by irradiating compound 10 in the presence of chlorine (the corresponding bromo compound of intermediate 14 can be formed using N-bromosuccinimide, benzyl peroxide in benzene). Intermediate 14 is reacted with S₈ and methyl iodide in TEA and DMF (PhSO₂Na, acetonitrile, Pr₄NBr at 80° C. for 24 h or S₈, t-BuOK at R.T., THF then methyl iodide may also be used) to yield intermediate 15. Intermediate 15 is reacted with hydrazine hydrate in ethanol to form intermediate 13.

Finally, COTI-5 is formed as follows. Intermediate 13 and 6,7-dihydro-5H-quinolin-8-one 5 is dissolved in ethanol at room temperature to yield COTI-5.

Example 1 In-Silico Assessment of Properties

An in-silico assessment of the properties of compounds according to the present invention was performed using the CHEMSAS® computational platform. CHEMSAS® is a robust proprietary computational platform for accelerated drug discovery, optimization and lead selection based upon a unique combination of traditional and modern pharmacology principles, statistical modeling and machine learning technologies. At the centre of the CHEMSAS® platform is a hybrid machine learning technology that may be used to: find, profile and optimize new targeted lead compounds; find novel uses for known compounds; and, solve problems with existing or potential drugs. In using the CHEMSAS®platform, first a therapeutic target was selected, in this case cancer and more particularly Small Cell Lung Cancer. The second step involved the design of a candidate molecule library containing thousands of potential compounds through the assembly of privileged molecular fragments. Thirdly, the candidate library was profiled and optimized using a combination of validated computational models and traditional expert medicinal chemistry. In this step, the CHEMSAS® platform developed 244 molecular descriptors for each candidate therapeutic compound. For example, molecular properties relating to a candidate compound's therapeutic efficacy, expected human toxicity, oral absorption, cumulative cellular resistance and/or kinetics were assessed. In some instances, comparative properties relating to commercially relevant benchmark compounds were also assessed. Potential lead compounds were then selected from the candidate library using a proprietary decision making tool designed to identify candidates with the optimal physical chemical properties, efficacy, ADME/Toxicity profile, etc. according to a pre-determined set of design criteria. The lead compounds selected from the candidate library were then synthesized for further pre-clinical development.

The properties of certain compounds according to the present invention, specifically COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5, that were assessed in-silico using the CHEMSAS® computational platform are shown in Tables 1 to 13. Some of the predicted properties are validated by the experimental data provided herein, while other properties have been validated elsewhere during the development of other clinical candidates. The CHEMSAS® platform therefore provides a means of determining, predicting and/or testing the properties of a compound, particularly when used to determine the properties of compounds according to the present invention. The CHEMSAS® platform is also particularly useful in comparing the properties of compounds according to the invention with prior art compounds on a relative basis in silico.

Tables 1A and 1B: Physical Chemical Properties

Tables 1A and 1B shows that COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5 are “drug-like” with good drug like physical properties.

TABLE 1A MolID FORMULA MolWeight MnLogP HBndDon HBndAcc COTI217 C17H22N6S 342.469 1.859199 1 6 COTI220 C18H20N6S 352.464 2.078432 1 6 COTI219 C17H18N6S 338.437 1.7646 1 6 COTI2 C19H22N6S 366.491 3.041311 1 6 COTI5 C20H24N6S 380.518 2.22023 1 6

TABLE 1B MolID TPSA RotBnds LipinskiAlerts Veber COTI217 37.5435 3 0 0 COTI220 53.3605 3 0 0 COTI219 53.3605 3 0 0 COTI2 53.3605 4 0 0 COTI5 53.3605 4 0 0 Legend for Table 1: MolWeight stands for Molecular Weight measured in Daltons and is a size descriptor; MnLogP is an average of MLogP, ALogP98 and CLogP, all of which are calculated lipophilicity/solubility estimates; HBndDon stands for Hydrogen Bond Donor and refers to the number of atoms able to donate electrons to potentially form Hydrogen bonds; HBndAcc stands for Hydrogen Bond Acceptor and refers to the number of atoms able to accept electrons to potentially form Hydrogen bonds; TPSA stands for Topological Polar Surface Area and is a measure of Molecular Surface Charge/Polarity; RotBnds stands for Rotatable Bonds which is a count of freely rotatable single bonds in the molecule; Lipinski Alerts If any 2 of (Molecular weight>500 Daltons, Hydrogen Bond Donors>5, Hydrogen Bond Acceptors>10, MLogP>4.15) are true, then a molecule is likely to have poor bioavailability; Veber Alerts: If TPSA>140 or number of Rotatable Bonds is >10, then bioavailability is likely to be poor. Tables 2A and 2B: Solubility Properties

Tables 2A and 2B shows that COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5 are expected to have acceptable solubility values for drug-like compounds.

TABLE 2A MolID FORMULA MnLogP LogD (pH 7) LogS COTI217 C17H22N6S 1.859199 0.309304 −3.09009 COTI220 C18H20N6S 2.078432 0.992417 −4.20136 COTI219 C17H18N6S 1.7646 1.067558 −3.78407 COTI2 C19H22N6S 3.041311 2.380243 −4.52904 COTI5 C20H24N6S 2.22023 1.019701 −4.49499

TABLE 2B MolID FORMULA Acid pKa 2 Base pKa 1 Base pKa 2 COTI217 C17H22N6S None 7.65056 None COTI220 C18H20N6S None 7.65056 4.71559 COTI219 C17H18N6S None 7.65056 3.90139 COTI2 C19H22N6S None 5.65356 4.882592 COTI5 C20H24N6S None 7.870707 5.617688 Legend for Table 2: MnLogP is an average of MLogP, ALogP98 and CLogP, all of which are calculated lipophilicity/solubilty estimates; LogD (7.4) is a measure of relative solubility in octanol vs water at a specific pH, in this case pH=7.4; LogS is the logarithm of the calculated solubility in pure water usually measured at 25 degrees centigrade; pKa is a calculated estimate of the pH at which the drug or substructures of the drug is 50% ionized and 50% is unionized. Table 3: Efficacy (LogGI50)

Table 3 shows that COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5 are predicted to have sub-micromolar in vitro activity vs human SCLC cell lines. Actual measurements obtained in vitro confirm the prediction of activity at sub-micromolar levels for COTI-2 and COTI-219.

MolID FORMULA DMS114 SHP-77 Predicted Actual COTI217 C17H22N6S <−6 <−6 Active ND COTI220 C18H20N6S <−6 <−6 Active ND COTI219 C17H18N6S <−6 <−6 Active Active COTI2 C19H22N6S <−6 <−6 Active Active COTI5 C20H24N6S <−6 <−6 Active ND Legend for Table 3: DMS 114 is a “classical” human small cell lung cancer line that is maintained by the National Cancer Institute in the United States; SHP-77 is a “variant” human small cell lung cancer line that is maintained by the National Cancer Institute in the United States; Predicted is the predicted in vitro Activity of the drug; Actual is the actual outcome of in vitro testing in both of the reference human small cell lung cancer lines; “Active” refers to drugs with predicted or measured GI50<1 μmol/L; ND means that the drug has not yet been tested in vitro. Tables 4A and 4B: Oral Absorption and BBB Penetration

Tables 4A and 4B shows that COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5 are expected to be absorbed orally.

TABLE 4A MolID FORMULA Mn % OrlAbs Min % Abs HIA-T2(MD) COTI217 C17H22N6S 82.67412 67.67412 2.16777 COTI220 C18H20N6S 88.79283 73.79283 0.144973 COTI219 C17H18N6S 85.52785 70.52785 0.314455 COTI2 C19H22N6S 87.02755 72.02755 0.38029 COTI5 C20H24N6S 88.43881 73.43881 0.277855

TABLE 4B ProbBBB BBB- Clark SubKit MolID Pene LogBBB T2 (MD) LogBBB LogBB COTI217 0.918625 −0.32584 2.280528 −0.09599 −0.22923 COTI220 0.26949 −0.24921 0.254967 −0.36111 −0.20053 COTI219 0.331 −0.39022 0.551314 −0.39876 −0.31048 COTI2 0.710661 −0.01576 0.416152 −0.19558 −0.0185 COTI5 0.089884 −0.0646 0.315208 −0.37444 −0.05658 Legend for Table 4: Mn % OrlAbs is the prediction of the mean percent oral absorption of the drug from an ensemble of 5-7 different models; Min % Abs is the minimum value for the Mn % OrlAbs at the lower 95% Confidence Interval; HIA-T2(MD) is the Malanabois distance, which is a measure of the calculated statistical distance from the centre of a population of drugs with optimal oral absorption; ProbBBBPene is an estimate of the probability that the drug will penetrate the blood brain barrier and enter the central nervous system (CNS); BBB-T2(MD) is the Malanabois distance, which is a measure of the calculated statistical distance from the centre of a population of drugs with optimal blood brain barrier penetration; ClarkLogBBB is an estimate of a drugs penetration of the blood brain barrier based on the drugs LogP and TPSA; SubKitLogBB is another estimate of a drugs penetration of the blood brain barrier based on the drugs LogP and TPSA; LogBB: if LogBB<=−1 the drug does not pentrate the BBB; if Log BB>0 there is likely to be good BB penetration; if −1<logBB<0 then BBB penetration is likely to be variable and may be poor. Table 5: Metabolic Stability (Percent Remaining at 60 Minutes and Calculated Half Life in Hours)

Table 5 shows that in vitro metabolic stability is expected to be adequate for COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5. COTI-2 is expected to be metabolized more quickly in human liver microsomes than the other COTI compounds. Both the estimated T½ and the T½ measured in vitro for COTI-2 and 219 are good.

Liver Micro- T½ 95% CI In vitro MolID somes Hepatocytes hrs in Hrs T½ (Hrs) COTI217 54 66.4 5.3 1.9-8.7 ND COTI220 64.1 72.5 3.9 1.4-6.4 ND COTI219 66.7 74.18 4 1.4-6.6 ~6.8 (5.0, 7.0, 8.5) COTI2 23.7 55.94 8.7  3.1-14.3 ~6.0 (1.7, 4.8, 11.4) COTI5 50.9 64.42 6.1 2.2-10  ND Legend for Table 5: Liver Microsomes is the estimated percent remaining at 60 minutes after introduction of a dose of the drug into an in vitro/human liver microsomal enzyme system; Hepatocytes is the estimated percent remaining at 60 minutes after introduction of a dose of the drug into an in vitro/human hepatocyte cellular system; T½ hrs is a calculated estimate of the half life of the drug measured in hours; 95% Cl in Hrs is the calculated 95% confidence interval estimate of the half life of the drug measured in hours; In vitro T½(Hrs) is the actual half life in hours obtained from 3 in vitro experiments carried out at doses of 1 μmol, 10 μmol and 100 μmol (in brackets). Table 6: Probability (CYP450 Isoenzyme Substrate) Table 6 shows that COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5 are likely to be metabolized by the CYP450 enzyme system. COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5 are expected to undergo at least some CYP3A457 metabolism and COTI-2 may also undergo some CYP2D6 metabolism.

MolID FORMULA CYP1A2 CYP2B6 CYP2C8/9 CYP2C19 CYP2D6 CYP2E1 CYP3A457 COTI217 C17H22N6S 0.57 0.03 0.08 0.05 0.84 0.03 0.51 COTI220 C18H20N6S 0.07 0.02 0.12 0.05 0.22 0.02 0.93 COTI219 C17H18N6S 0.34 0.03 0.15 0.06 0.52 0.03 0.6 COTI2 C19H22N6S 0.05 0.03 0.13 0.06 0.8 0.03 0.93 COTI5 C20H24N6S 0.21 0.03 0.2 0.07 0.58 0.04 0.87 Legend for Table 6: Table 6 represents the estimated probabilities that the drug in question will undergo at least 20% of its phase 1 metabolism by one or more of the 7 major isoenzyme forms of Cytochrome P450 (CYP450). The isoenzyme forms of CYP450 in Table 6 are: 1A2, 2B6, 2C8 or 9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 and 3A4, 5 or 7; these 7 isoenzyme forms account for >80% of phase 1 metabolism of all drugs that are orally administered to humans. The majority of all orally administered drugs are metabolized by the CYP3A family of isoenzymes. Table 7: Probability (CYP450 Iso Enzyme Inhibitor)

Table 7 shows that COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5 are not expected to significantly inhibit any CYP450 isoenzyme.

MolID FORMULA CYP1A2 CYP2B6 CYP2C8/9 CYP2C19 CYP2D6 CYP2E1 CYP3A457 COTI217 C17H22N6S 0.1 0.06 0.08 0.07 0.22 0.07 0.22 COTI220 C18H20N6S 0.09 0.06 0.33 0.12 0.16 0.06 0.12 COTI219 C17H18N6S 0.11 0.06 0.22 0.08 0.12 0.06 0.1 COTI2 C19H22N6S 0.09 0.06 0.33 0.18 0.37 0.07 0.4 COTI5 C20H24N6S 0.11 0.06 0.23 0.16 0.31 0.07 0.37 Legend for Table 7: Table 7 represents the estimated probabilities that the drug in question will inhibit a given CYP isoenzyme activity by at least 20%; the isoenzyme forms of CYP450 in table 7 are: 1A2, 2B6, 2C8 or 9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 and 3A4, 5 or 7; these 7 isoenzyme forms account for >80% of phase 1 metabolism of all drugs that are orally administered to humans. Table 8: Probability (CYP450 Iso Enzyme Inducer)

Table 8 shows that COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5 are not expected to induce any of the CYP450 isoenzymes.

MolID FORMULA CYP1A2 CYP2B6 CYP2C8/9 CYP2C19 CYP2D6 CYP2E1 CYP3A457 COTI217 C17H22N6S 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 COTI220 C18H20N6S 0.23 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 COTI219 C17H18N6S 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.07 COTI2 C19H22N6S 0.07 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.09 COTI5 C20H24N6S 0.07 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.07 Legend for Table 8: Table 8 represents the estimated probabilities that the drug in question will induce a given CYP isoenzyme activity by at least 20%. The isoenzyme forms of CYP450 in table 8 are: 1A2, 2B6, 2C8 or 9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 and 3A4, 5 or 7; these 7 isoenzyme forms account for >80% of phase 1 metabolism of all drugs that are orally administered to humans. Table 9: Probability of any Hepatic Toxicity

Table 9 shows that COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5 are not expected to cause Hepatic Toxicity.

MolID FORMULA ProbHepTox1 ProbHepTox2 COTI217 C17H22N6S 0.146 0.086 COTI220 C18H20N6S 0.082 0.47 COTI219 C17H18N6S 0.079 0.457 COTI2 C19H22N6S 0.065 0.371 COTI5 C20H24N6S 0.099 0.252 Legend for Table 9: ProbHepTox1 is the average calculated probability from an ensemble of models that the drug in question will cause liver toxicity; ProbHepTox2 is the average calculated probability from a second, different ensemble of models that the drug in question will cause liver toxicity. Table 10: Probability of P-Glycoprotein Interaction Table 10 shows that COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5 are expected to inhibit P-glycoprotein (P-gp) enzyme activity. COTI-2 and COTI-5 may also be substrates for P-gp, whereas COTI-219 is relatively unlikely to be a substrate for P-gp. P-gp is a protein expressed by many cancer cells and is felt to contribute to cellular resistance to many cancer drugs. Ideally, an effective cancer drug would either not be a substrate for P-gp or would inhibit P-gp activity, thereby reducing the likelihood of P-gp related drug resistance.

MolID FORMULA Substrate Inhibitor COTI217 C17H22N6S 0.57 0.81 COTI220 C18H20N6S 0.62 0.87 COTI219 C17H18N6S 0.19 0.75 COTI2 C19H22N6S 0.79 0.9 COTI5 C20H24N6S 0.82 0.9 Legend for Table 10: Table 10 represents the calculated probabilities from an ensemble of models that the drug in question will interact with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) as a substrate or inhibitor. Table 11: Animal and Human Toxicity Predictions

Table 11 shows that COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5 are expected to have low to moderate acute toxicity as measured by LD50 when given by the oral and intraperitoneal route.

Lower Lower MRTD ORL- IPR- mg/kg/ MRTD MolID FORMULA ORL-LD50 LD50 IPR-LD50 LD50 day mg/day COTI217 C17H22N6S 609.7 192.8 139.6 44.2 2 120.5 COTI220 C18H20N6S 761.1 240.7 175.5 55.5 1.3 79.9 COTI219 C17H18N6S 1022 323.2 227.8 72 1.2 70.4 COTI2 C19H22N6S 842.8 266.5 195.3 61.8 1.6 99 COTI5 C20H24N6S 773.9 244.7 151.5 47.9 1.1 67 Legend for Table 11: ORL-LD50 is the calculated point estimate of the dose of the drug in mg/kg that would cause death in 50% of healthy test lab rats when the drug is given orally; LowerORL-LD50 is the calculated lower 95% confidence interval point estimate of the dose of the drug in mg/kg that would cause death in 50% of healthy test lab rats when the drug is given orally; IPR-LD50 is the calculated point estimate of the dose of the drug in mg/kg that would cause death in 50% of healthy test lab mice when the drug is given intraperitoneally; LowerORL-LD50 is the calculated lower 95% confidence interval point estimate of the dose of the drug in mg/kg that would cause death in 50% of healthy test lab mice when the drug is given intraperitoneally; MRTDmg/kg/day is the calculated maximum recommended therapeutic daily dose of the drug in milligrams per kg per day for the average 60 Kg human adult; MRTDmg/day is the calculated maximum recommended therapeutic daily dose of the drug in milligrams per day for the average 60 Kg human adult. Table 12: Predicted hERG Interaction

Table 12 shows that COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5 are expected to have hERG IC50 values of >1 μmol/l in keeping with a decreased risk of cardiac toxicity. In general, a hERG IC50 of <1 μmol/L would be associated with an increased probability of potential drug induced cardiac toxicity.

IC50 MolID FORMULA (μmol) ProbIC50 > 1 μmol ProbIC50 > 10 COTI217 C17H22N6S 2.6 0.88 0.06 COTI220 C18H20N6S 1.8 0.9 0.03 COTI219 C17H18N6S 2.2 0.92 0.04 COTI2 C19H22N6S 1.6 0.92 0.02 COTI5 C20H24N6S 0.6 0.79 0.04 Legend for Table 12: IC50(μmol) is the calculated concentration of the drug that inhibits 50% of the activity of the hERG potassium channel and is an estimate of potential cardiac toxicity; ProbIC50>1 μmol is the calculated probability that the IC50 for the drug with regards to the hERG potassium channel is greater than 1 μmol/L; ProbIC50>10 μmol is the calculated probability that the IC50 for the drug with regards to the hERG potassium channel is greater than 10 μmol/L; Table 13: Predicted Genotoxicity

Table 13 shows that COTI-2 and 219 are expected to have a negative AMES test and that COTI-217, COTI-220, COTI-219, COTI-2 and COTI-5 are not expected to cause Polyploidicity in the Guinea Pig cell model.

MolID FORMULA ProbAMES+ PolyPldy COTI217 C17H22N6S 0.94 0.15 COTI220 C18H20N6S 0.06 0.16 COTI219 C17H18N6S 0.06 0.15 COTI2 C19H22N6S 0.06 0.16 COTI5 C20H24N6S 0.06 0.23 Legend for Table 13: ProbAMES+ is the probability that the drug will induce a recognized gene mutation in a standard strain of cultured bacteria; PolyPldy is the probability that the drug will induce polyploidicity (i.e. an increased/abnormal number of chromosomes) in cultered guinea pig cells.

Example 2 In Vitro Efficacy Against Various Cancer Cell Lines

To assess the efficacy of compounds according to the present invention in the treatment of cancer, in vitro activity expressed as 1050 (represents the concentration of an inhibitor that is required for 50% inhibition of its target, in nmol) was measured for several cancer cell lines using standard methods for such tests known to persons skilled in the art. Briefly, cells were plated in plastic tissue culture plates and grown under standard conditions for each cell line, in carbon dioxide/oxygen atmosphere in plastic tissue culture plates, in the presence of COTI-2 or COTI-219 compounds at 35° C. for 3 days. Control cultures were treated with vehicle minus compound. Cells were counted after 3 days in culture and at a cell density of no more than 80%. The following cell lines, obtained from the National Cancer Institute, were tested: human SCLC cell lines DMS 153, DMS 114, SHP77; human NSCLC cell lines H226, A460, A560; human breast cancer cell lines T47D, MCF7; human colon cancer cell line HT29; and, human Leukemia cell lines K562, HL60. The results of these assays are presented in Table 14.

TABLE 14 in vitro IC50 against cancer cell lines COTI-219 IC50 Cell Line Tumor Type COTI-2 IC50 (nM) (nM) SHP77 SCLC 156 +/− 8  787 +/− 61 DMS153 SCLC 73 +/− 9 233 +/− 39 DMS114 SCLC 51 +/− 9 267 +/− 40 H226 NSCLC 15000 +/− 1129 Not tested A460 NSCLC 7900 +/− 620 Not tested A549 NSCLC 6300 +/− 671 Not tested T47D Breast Cancer 221 +/− 12 367 +/− 44 MCF7 Breast Cancer 101 +/− 8  421 +/− 31 HT29 Colorectal Cancer 121 +/− 11 403 +/− 32 K562 Leukemia 176 +/− 22 222 +/− 28 HL60 Leukemia 236 +/− 9  374 +/− 46 Table 14 shows that both COTI-2 and COTI-219 possess potent activity in the low nanomolar range against SCLC tumor cell types, as well as several other tumor cell types such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer and Leukemia. Both drugs had an IC50 of less than 850 nM for the SHP77 cell line, which is known to be resistant to several conventional therapeutic agents. COTI-2 did not possess nanomolar level activity against NSCLC cell types and COTI-219 was not tested against those cell types. At least COTI-2 therefore exhibits selectivity in lung cancer treatment towards SCLC cell types. The in vitro data also confirms the in-silico predictions of efficacy, which estimated that less than 1 μM (1000 nM) would be required for efficacy in the SHP 77 and DMS 114 cell lines.

Example 3 In Vivo Efficacy in SCLC Treatment

The nude mouse model of human SCLC was used to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of compounds of the present invention in comparison with several known chemotherapeutic agents. Nude mice were obtained form the National Cancer Institute and the SHP-77 human SCLC cell line was chosen for metastatic tumor xenografts. The control group consisted of 10 animals, each of which were administered bilateral thigh injections of a prescribed volume of tumor cells. There were 6 treatment groups, each containing 5 animals: COTI-2, COTI-4, COTI-219, Taxotere® (docetaxel), Cisplatin® (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) and Tarceva® (erlotinib) The therapeutic agent was administered by intraperitoneal (IP) injection on alternate days beginning on Day 3 post tumor cell injection. Each animal in a treatment group was administered bilateral thigh injections with the same prescribed volume of tumor cells as the control animals. Treatment continued for 31 days, following which the animals were euthanized and tissues were collected for subsequent analysis. The final tumor size in mm³ is reported in FIG. 1 and the number of tumors is reported in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, compounds according to the invention showed a marked decrease in tumor growth as compared with both the control and conventional agents. Control animals produced tumors having a mean volume of 260+/−33 mm³. Animals treated with COTI-2 produced tumors of mean volume 9.9 mm³, while those treated with COTI-219 produced tumors having mean volume 53+/−28 mm³. This compared well with those treated with Cisplatin®, which produced tumors having means volume 132+/−26 mm³ and those treated with Taxotere®, which produced tumors having mean volume 183 mm³. Animals treated with Tarceva® died before study conclusion at 31 days.

Referring to FIG. 2, compounds according to the invention showed a marked decrease in number of tumors as compared with both the control and conventional agents. Control animals produced an average of 0.9 tumors per injection site, whereas those treated with COTI-2 produced 0.28, those treated with COTI-219 produced 0.38, those treated with Cisplatin® produced 0.48 and those treated with Taxotere® produced 0.48. Animals treated with Tarceva® died before study conclusion at 31 days.

The above data show the efficacy of compounds according to the invention in vivo against SCLC cell lines. Furthermore, compounds according to the invention show better efficacy compared to conventionally administered therapeutic agents.

Example 4 In Vivo Effect of COTI-2 in SCLC Treatment on N417 Tumor Xenografts

Malignant N417 human SCLC cells in Matrigel™ were injected sub-cutaneously into hind legs of nude mice and xenograft tumors were allowed to grow to about 100 mm³. Mice were then administered daily intraperitoneal injections with indicated concentrations of COTI-2 (in isotonic saline, as a cloudy liquid, total volume of 1 ml per injection) for one week. Tumor volumes were estimated by caliper measurement. The results are shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, tumor volumes were graphed as means±standard error (SE).

A significant difference in tumor growth was observed at all dosage levels. The decrease in efficacy seen at the 8 mg/kg level relative to other treatment levels is attributed to an error in solubilizing the compound, since a small amount of undissolved material was observed at the bottom of the treatment vial. Percentage values reported on FIG. 3 are for efficacy of the compound expressed in terms of inhibition of tumor growth according to the following formula: (1−(Tf−Ti)/(Cf−Ci))*100 wherein Tf is the final tumor volume, Ti is the initial tumor volume at the onset of treatment, Cf is the final control tumor volume and Ci is the initial control tumor volume at the onset of treatment. Even when the 8 mg/kg dose is included, tumor growth inhibition of 30% or more was observed across all dosage levels. It is noted that the N417 cell line is generally regarded as the hardest SCLC cell line to treat. The compounds according to the invention therefore exhibit in vivo efficacy against a number of different SCLC cell lines.

Example 5 Resistance Testing

In order to evaluate the induction of resistance in vitro, compounds according to the invention were tested in head to head comparisons against conventional therapeutic agents Cisplatin® and Taxotere®. The compound designated COTI-4 (which is the subject of Applicant's co-pending U.S. provisional patent application entitled “Composition and Method for Treatment” filed Dec. 26, 2007) was also tested. The structure for COTI-4 is:

IC50 values were obtained using methods known to persons skilled in the art with two different human SCLC cell lines (DMS153 and SHP77) obtained from the National Cancer Institute. The surviving 50% of cells from the initial IC50 tested were harvested and cultured for 5 days, after which time this new generation of cells was re-treated with the same agent and a new IC50 value was established. The procedure was repeated for a total of 5 generations. Emerging resistance was identified by increasing IC50 values in successive generations. The results are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (DMS153 and SHP77 cell lines, respectively), where the ordinate axis is provided in terms of the ratio of the IC50 value to the IC50 value of the parental generation.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, both COTI-2 and 219 exhibited little to no emerging resistance over 5 generations. This was in marked contrast to the conventional therapies Cisplatin® and Taxotere® (labeled Paclitaxel in the figures), which showed significant increases in IC50 for both cell lines. The SHP77 cell line in particular is known to be resistant to conventional agents; however, neither COTI 2 nor 219 showed any tendency towards resistance in this cell line. In fact, COTI-2 demonstrated a statistically significant tendency to decrease resistance (IC50's less than 1 for successive generations) in both cell lines. COTI-2 therefore exhibits a collateral sensitivity whereby the resistance of cells is decreased over successive generations and the drug might actually become more effective over time against these cell lines. This corroborates the in-silico predictions for COTI-2 and 219; COTI-2 was predicted to be a strong P-glycoprotein inhibitor, which is consistent with decreasing the tendency towards drug resistance, whereas COTI-219 was predicted to be both a P-glycoprotein inhibitor and/or a weak substrate for P-glycoprotein, also consistent with minimal accumulation in resistance over successive generations.

The in-silico predictions for resistance profile of compounds according to the invention are therefore confirmed by these assays.

Example 6 In Vitro Efficacy in Brain Cancer

In order to determine the efficacy of the present invention against human Glioma and Astrocytoma cell lines, IC50 values were determined by in vitro assay of four malignant human brain cancer cell lines (U87MG, grade III glioblastoma/astrocytoma; SNB-19, glioma/astrocytoma Grade IV, glioblastoma multiforme; SF-268, glioma; SF-295, glioma). Human brain cancers are notoriously difficult to treat.

Cell lines were obtained from the Human Tissue Culture Collection (ATCC), grown and maintained under ATCC-specified conditions, and tested to ensure viability and lack of contaminating mycoplasma and common viruses. Healthy cells were plated in 96-well culture plates in medium plus fetal bovine serum and allowed to adhere for 16 h, followed by addition of COTI-2, COTI-219, Cisplatin®, or BCNU (1,3-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea) at multiple concentrations ranging from those that had no effect on proliferation to those that inhibited proliferation by 90% or more. A viability stain (alamar Blue) was added to cells after 4-7 days of drug exposure (approximately 4 doublings of control cells; maximum cell density in wells approximately 80%), and assayed for total cellular metabolic activity (a function of population density of live cells) by absorbance. Concentrations of the agent required to inhibit proliferation by 50% (IC50 value) were derived by interpolation of plotted data (mean values derived from 3 independent experiments±standard error). Results are reported in Table 15.

TABLE 15 IC50 values for Human Glioma/Astrocytoma cell Lines COTI-2 COTI-219 Cisplatin BCNU Cell Line (nM) (nM) (nM) (nM) U87 48 +/− 9 2370+/− 490 +/− 9  1520 +/− 130 SNB-19  8 +/− 3 1990+/− 870 +/− 40 2250 +/− 700 SF-268 66 +/− 8 1170+/− Not tested Not tested SF-295 184 +/− 23 2390+/− Not tested Not tested

At least the COTI-2 compounds were shown to have better efficacy against glioma/astrocytoma cell lines as compared with the conventional agents Cisplatin® and BCNU. COTI-2 showed an order of magnitude greater efficacy than Cisplatin® against U87 and two orders of magnitude greater efficacy against SNB-19. These results show that at least COTI-2 compounds have efficacy against glioma/astrocytoma cell lines.

Example 7 In Vivo Effect of COTI-2 on Cancerous Brain Tumours

Malignant U87 human glioma (brain tumour) cells in Matrigel™ were injected sub-cutaneously into hind legs of nude mice, allowed to grow to 200-300 mm³, then treated 3 times per week (Mon, Wed, Fri) with indicated concentrations of COTI-2 (in isotonic saline, as a cloudy liquid, total volume of 1 ml per injection). Tumour volumes were estimated by caliper measurement. The results are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

In FIG. 6A, tumour volumes were graphed as means±standard error (SE) (n=11-14 for each data point). The asterisk indicates a significant difference (p<0.05) between the 8 mg/kg treatment group and both the saline control and 4 mg/kg treatment groups. There was no significant difference between the 4 mg/kg group and the saline control group.

In FIG. 6B, tumour volumes were graphed as fractional increase in volume, to correct for differences in starting volume, ±SE. The asterisk indicates a significant difference (p<0.05) between the 8 mg/kg treatment group and both the saline control and 4 mg/kg treatment groups. There was no significant difference between the 4 mg/kg group and the saline control group. The flag (

) indicates a significant difference between the 8 mg/kg group and the saline group, but not between the 8 mg/kg group and the 4 mg/kg group.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show that compounds of the present invention are effective in the treatment of established human brain tumors. The compounds delayed tumor growth by about 25% at a dosage of 8 mg/kg given just three times per week. Although no significant effect was observed at a dosage of 4 mg/kg, more frequent administration may have produced a significant effect at this dosage.

Example 8 Toxicity Testing

An escalating dose acute toxicity study was conducted with COTI-2, COTI-4 and COTI-219. Standard lab mice were divided into four treatment groups (control, 4, 8, 16 mg/kg) with four animals per group. It should be noted that the highest dose was approximately 10 times the estimated effective dose. Mice were given alternate day IP injections for 28 days. Weight loss/gain of the mice was measured and the mice were observed for adverse effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, etc. Blood and tissue samples were harvested for histopathology. None of the drugs produced any weight loss at any of the administered doses over the entire 28 day period. No evidence of acute toxicity was obtained and no adverse effects were observed. The compounds according to the present invention are therefore believed to be safe and non-toxic.

Example 9 In Vitro Metabolic Stability in Human Liver Microsomes

To evaluate the stability of these compounds in terms of clearance by the liver, human liver microsomes (HLM) at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml were incubated with 0.823 mM NADPH, 5 mM UDPGA, 1 mM MgCl₂ and COTI-2 or 219 at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 μM. Sampling was conducted at 1, 20, 40, 60, 120, 180 and 240 minutes and the remaining concentration of each compound was evaluated. A half life (T_(1/2)) was calculated at each concentration, along with the rate of clearance by the liver (C_(L)). The results are provided in Table 16 for each compound. The C_(L) values compare favorably with published values for other marketed therapeutic agents under identical conditions. The half life of compounds according to the invention is therefore likely to be long enough to permit convenient dosing, while not being so long as to lead to accumulation in patients with potential long term toxicity effects.

TABLE 16 Half-life and Liver Clearance Rate by HLM at 0.5 mg/mL Compound Concentration (μM) T_(1/2) (min) C_(L) (μL/min/mg) COTI-2 1 102.1 12 10 285.7 4 100 683.1 2 COTI-219 1 301.2 4.2 10 420.7 3 100 508.5 2.5

The average half life for COTI-2 was 6 hours and for COTI-219 was 6.8 hours. The in-silico prediction for CL in the 95% confidence interval was from 3.1-14.3 for COTI-2 and from 1.4-6.6 for COTI-219; this compares well with the data presented in Table 3.

Example 10 Mechanism of Action

Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that molecules according to the present invention, particularly COTI-2, act in the treatment of cancer in a manner consistent with the following mechanistic observations. The following observations were obtained using gene expression profiling techniques and targeted in vitro testing. Molecules of the present invention are believed to function as kinase inhibitors. Molecules of the present invention are also believed to function as promoters of apoptosis. Promotion of apoptosis is achieved by decreasing phosphorylation of Caspase 9; this has the effect of increasing active Caspase 9 and inducing apoptosis via Caspase 3.

To confirm this mechanism SHP77 cells were treated with 250 nM of COTI-2 and incubated for 3 and 6 hours. Western blots of the cellular lysates are presented in FIG. 7. Phospho-Akt expression was decreased as compared to control at both 3 and 6 hours, with corresponding increases in Akt levels. There was no change in phospho-STAT3 expression, although a slight decrease in total STAT3 (˜30%) was observed at 6 hrs. There was no observed reactivation of Caspase 8; its level of expression remained constant in treated and control cells. However, the most dramatic change was a profound suppression of phospho-Caspase 9 at both 3 and 6 hrs of incubation. These results confirm the proposed mechanism of action.

Example 11 In-Silico Comparative Data

The in-silico model was used to test properties of compounds described in PCT Publication No. WO2006/009765: NSC716768, NSC73306, NSC73303, NSC668496, and NSC693323. Compounds JBC271A, JBC271B (Journal of Biological Chemistry 271, 13515-13522 (1996)) and JICS75 (Journal of the Indian Chemical Society, 75, 392-394 (1998) and Journal of the Indian Chemical Society, 72, 403-405 (1995)) are as follows:

Results of in-silico testing are shown in Tables 17 to 20. The legends for these tables correspond to those of Example 1, except where indicated, and the methodology used to create the Tables was identical. Tables 17A and 17B: Physical Chemical Properties Table 17 shows that all tested compounds are drug like with no alerts for poor absorption or bioavailability.

TABLE 17A Mol- HBnd HBnd MolID FORMULA Weight MnLogP Don Acc NSC716768 C17H20N6O4S 404.449 2.082079 2 10 NSC73306 C16H12Cl2N4O2S 395.268 3.155598 3 6 NSC73303 C15H12N4OS 296.352 2.564086 3 5 NSC668496 C15H18N4OS 302.4 2.541123 2 5 NSC693323 C14H24N6S2 340.516 2.39891 2 6 JBC271A C8H12N4O2S2 260.338 0.257966 2 6 JBC271B C9H14N4O2S2 274.365 0.542592 1 6 JICS75 C11H19N3OS 241.357 1.600519 1 4

TABLE 17B Rot- Lipinski MolID FORMULA TPSA Bnds Alerts Veber NSC716768 C17H20N6O4S 112.7027 7 0 0 NSC73306 C16H12Cl2N4O2S 75.9848 5 0 0 NSC73303 C15H12N4OS 67.0547 4 0 0 NSC668496 C15H18N4OS 57.597 3 0 0 NSC693323 C14H24N6S2 54.972 7 0 0 JBC271A C8H12N4O2S2 66.5271 3 0 0 JBC271B C9H14N4O2S2 57.0694 3 0 0 JICS75 C11H19N3OS 36.4161 3 0 0 Table 18: Solubility Properties Table 18 shows that all tested compounds have acceptable and comparable solubility with the COTI compounds except for NSC73306 which would be expected to have very poor water solubility.

MolID FORMULA MnLogP LogS NSC716768 C17H20N6O4S 2.082079 −3.46551 NSC73306 C16H12Cl2N4O2S 3.155598 −5.76993 NSC73303 C15H12N4OS 2.564086 −3.7869 NSC668496 C15H18N4OS 2.541123 −3.87371 NSC693323 C14H24N6S2 2.39891 −3.27041 JBC271A C8H12N4O2S2 0.257966 −1.76143 JBC271B C9H14N4O2S2 0.542592 −1.83773 JICS75 C11H19N3OS 1.600519 −2.45438 Table 19: Efficacy (LogGI50) Table 19 shows that all tested compounds except for NSC693323 are predicted to be inactive against human SCLC cell lines DMS 114 and SHP-77 in vitro. Therefore, there is no rationale for use of any of the tested compounds except for NSC693323 as therapeutic agents in the treatment of SCLC. NSC693323 has an average GI50 of −6.3. By comparison, COTI-2 has LOG(GI50) for DMS 114 determined in vitro of −7.2 to −7.4, representing ˜10 times better in vitro efficacy than the predictions for NSC693323

Mean Over NCI/ DTP 60 SHP- Pre- cell line MolID FORMULA DMS114 77 dicted panel NSC716768 C17H20N6O4S <−6 <−6 Inactive −4.7 NSC73306 C16H12Cl2N4O2S <−6 <−6 Inactive −4.9 NSC73303 C15H12N4OS <−6 <−6 Inactive ND NSC668496 C15H18N4OS <−6 <−6 Inactive −6.1 NSC693323 C14H24N6S2 <−6 <−6 Active −6.3 JBC271A C8H12N4O2S2 <−6 <−6 Inactive ND JBC271B C9H14N4O2S2 <−6 <−6 Inactive ND JICS75 C11H19N3OS <−6 <−6 Inactive ND Legend for Table 19: Mean Over NCI/DTP 60 cell line panel is the mean of the GI50's for all 60 cell lines NOT including DMS 114 and SHP-77; ND means not done/not available. Table 20: Oral Absorption and BBB Penetration Table 20 shows that all tested compounds are predicted to have good oral absorption with variable to poor CNS penetration. The only potentially active drug, NSC693323, likely penetrates into the CNS poorly.

TABLE 20A Mn HIA- MolID FORMULA % OrlAbs Min % Abs T2 (MD) NSC716768 C17H20N6O4S 86.33807 71.33807 3.556507 NSC73306 C16H12Cl2N4O2S 73.43512 58.43512 2.075257 NSC73303 C15H12N4OS 88.14632 73.14632 0.078544 NSC668496 C15H18N4OS 87.81207 72.81207 0.055115 NSC693323 C14H24N6S2 84.59752 69.59752 0.097439 JBC271A C8H12N4O2S2 80.28443 65.28443 2.273772 JBC271B C9H14N4O2S2 84.04259 69.04259 2.267253 JICS75 C11H19N3OS 91.74003 76.74003 2.023605

TABLE 20B Prob- BBB- MolID FORMULA BBBPene LogBBB T2 (MD) NSC716768 C17H20N6O4S 0.009519 <<−1.00 9.681481 NSC73306 C16H12Cl2N4O2S 0.051291 −0.1554 4.758413 NSC73303 C15H12N4OS 0.359669 −0.41974 1.216003 NSC668496 C15H18N4OS 0.306419 −0.26927 0.426904 NSC693323 C14H24N6S2 0.265543 −0.24742 0.294411 JBC271A C8H12N4O2S2 0.818135 −1.12483 3.888207 JBC271B C9H14N4O2S2 0.806343 −0.91155 3.439832 JICS75 C11H19N3OS 0.840636 −0.25614 1.981566 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for treating a cancer in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I or IA:

a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, tautomer, optical isomer, and/or combination thereof; wherein: R₁ and R₂ together form a substituted or unsubstituted polycyclic ring comprising at least two ring systems, said at least two ring systems comprising a first ring system bonded to C1 and a second ring system fused to the first ring system, wherein: the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; or the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; or the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted saturated carbocyclic group, the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted unsaturated carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted ring B:

wherein X₁ to X₆ are each independently selected from carbon or a heteroatom; or the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted unsaturated carbocyclic group, the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted ring B:

wherein X₁ to X₆ are each independently selected from carbon or a heteroatom; or the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; and R₃ to R₁₁ are each independently selected from H, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterogeneous group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic; R₁₂ is selected from H or a hydrocarbyl group; Y is N; Ring is selected from a substituted or unsubstituted thiomorpholinyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted morpholinyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted piperidinyl group, wherein the nitrogen in the Ring is bonded to A; and n is 0 or 1, when n is 1, A is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic, wherein the cancer is selected from small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, acute leukemia, chronic leukemia, colorectal cancer, or brain cancer.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted unsaturated carbocyclic group, the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; or a substituted or unsubstituted ring B:

wherein X₁ to X₆ are each independently selected from carbon or a heteroatom.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group and the second ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted ring B:

wherein X₁ to X₆ are each independently selected from carbon or a heteroatom.
 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein X₁ is N and X₂ to X₆ is carbon.
 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein X₁ is N and X₂ to X₆ is carbon.
 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the ring B is fused to the first ring system at X₂ and X₃.
 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the ring B is fused to the first ring system at X₂ and X₃.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first ring is a five-membered ring.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first ring is a six-membered ring.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the substituted or unsubstituted polycyclic ring further comprises a third ring system fused to the first ring system.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the third ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the third ring system is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.
 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein n is
 0. 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein n is
 1. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein A is a pyridinyl group.
 17. The method according to claim 1, the compound is Formula I and Y is N.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein R₇ is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group and R₃ to R₆ and R₈ to R₁₂ are each independently selected from H or a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group.
 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein R₇ is the substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted pyridyl group and R₃ to R₆ and R₈ to R₁₂ are each H.
 20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the compound penetrates the blood brain barrier of a mammal.
 21. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least about 50% of the compound is orally absorbed by a mammal.
 22. The method according to claim 1, wherein the compound has an IC₅₀ for a cancer cell population of less than about 1000 nM.
 23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the compound is co-administered with radiation therapy.
 24. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mammal is a human.
 25. The method according to claim 1, wherein the compound inhibits development of a drug resistant form of the cancer.
 26. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cancer is a carcinoma.
 27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the carcinoma is selected from small cell lung carcinomas, breast carcinomas, or colorectal carcinomas.
 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the carcinoma is small cell lung carcinoma.
 29. The method according to claim 1, wherein the compound is administered orally and/or parenterally. 